Congratulations on securing your first job! Follow this guide to start your new job on the right note.
ENGAGE YOUR SUPERVISOR
Establish clear work objectives and priorities with your supervisor early on. Take the initiative to schedule regular check-ins and conversations with your supervisor to ensure that you are on the right track. Understand their expectations for your performance and develop a plan to meet your goals. Use a work calendar with reminders to track progress. Do not make assumptions — ask questions, seek guidance, and leverage the advantage of being new to the team.
CONTRIBUTE AND LEARN
Make yourself a valuable team member by contributing positively to the work. Offer constructive suggestions whenever possible and do not hesitate to share ideas. At the same time, be open to feedback (both good and bad) and be willing to learn from others. Stay humble and adopt a growth mindset, which will help you continuously improve.
BE A TEAM PLAYER
Develop authentic relationships, stay positive and build trust with your colleagues. Volunteer for projects or help your colleagues out whenever possible. Avoid office politics and gossip and respect the opinions of your colleagues even if they differ from yours. Being a good listener and asking thoughtful questions will help you earn respect and become a valuable team member.
IMMERSE IN THE COMPANY CULTURE
Participate in all onboarding activities and observe your colleagues to understand the company culture. Keep to the organisation’s norms regarding communication, work hours and protocols for time off. When in doubt, always seek your colleagues’ advice.
Make an effort to reach out to your colleagues who can help you acclimatise quickly to your new role, especially if you have to start by working remotely. Set up individual meetings to get to know your colleagues better, understand what their roles are, and how you can support them. Beyond the official onboarding process, these interactions may offer insights into the unspoken rules and expectations of the workplace.
BUILD YOUR NETWORK
Building your professional network is key to career development. Make it a point to attend staff meetings, conferences and industry events — whether in person or virtually. Networking within and beyond your organisation will help you grow and discover new opportunities.
EMBRACE LIFELONG LEARNING
Even as a new graduate, it is important to continue developing relevant skills to advance your career. Stay updated on industry trends and pursue professional development courses that will add value to both you and your organisation.
If your industry requires professional qualifications, make plans to complete the necessary courses. Focus on improving both your communication and technical skills to boost your career development.
Congratulations, you have gotten the job! Stay humble, be eager to learn and be open to new experiences. You have got what it takes — now it is time to shine!
